We Banished Princes Chapter 10
Myobu
An: Just in case you didn't know I currently have a poll for Jason's pairing so feel free to vote.
I don't own PJO or HOO that belongs to Rick Riordan
'Thoughts'
Previously
Lady Inari spoke again after a few moments of silence. "So what will it be Percy and Jason, can you really just sit back now knowing what is to come?"
And with that, the dam broke and tears spilled from their eyes.
"I … we …(sob) agree to- no swear serve you… Lady Inari f-for as long as we are n-needed…" they complied.
It was the perfect motivator.
~ Shima POV ~
The next day went about as well as one would think. We had our new recruits but the traumatic stress inflicted on them by lady Inari might as well have broken them. After Jason & Percy swore their allegiance they blacked out, their minds unable to take all the info crammed into them. In order to share info with other people, Lady Inari had to establish a mental connection. When she does, however, it shatters the barriers holding in painful emotions from equally painful memories. This connection also allowed the two demigods to exchange these memories. Living & reliving every bit of it all at once including the new information given resulting in their mental breakdown.
That's the thing about Shinto gods whereas the Olympians lied about everything, they were brutally honest. If something bad was going to happen they told their people without fault. No sugar coating lead often too broken and fearful mindsets, old and modern superstitions is proof of this. All immortals are trackers in some way, but the Shinto know how to separate playtime from work.
So I carried them to their new rooms and dumped them in their beds. A basic two person bedroom nothing special. Shizuka doped slapped me in the back of my head for my careless placement of the two.
"Ouch! Why?"
"You know why so don't give me that shit." She hissed. Shizuka pulled back the covers of the bed before tuck them both in.
"Mother hen." I said. She elbowed me in the ribs. "Deadbeat dad." She retorted before exiting the room. I followed but turned back to offer my unheard advice.
"Don't give up remember the fallen of the past and future, but do not forget the victories you have and will achieve."
~ Lady Inari POV~
"Awake my tired eternal servants your host have come to carry your mantel. No longer shall you feel the burden of destiny alone." I spoke to the stone fox mantels at my sides.
"Milady what be their names? Let us know our thread bound partners." They spoke in return.
"Perseus Jackson and Jason Grace, banished sons of the Greek and Roman pantheons. Disgraced princes of ungrateful gods."
"Foreigners! Yet we hear acceptance in your voice, what do you see Milady?"
" I see the rise of our forgotten kingdom in the potential the gods of the west so foolishly let slip from their fattened fingers."
" Then your wish will be our honor to make flesh." The spirits left the presence of the mantels to bond with my new servants. Remember you soon Karma, Enma.
~ Karma POV ~
I entered the mindscape of the one Milady called Jason Grace. His mind had an agricultural resemblance to Rome in which I held no interest. I strolled through the halls of his memories to find fault in milady's judgment but found only how much he cared for his brethren. When put in a cohort below his bloodline superiority he did not complain. He instead saw the potential for more in his comrades and built them up around it almost literally from zeros to heroes. This wasn't all, of course, he also cared for New Rome's minority the fauns. While others reviled their presence he accepted them as a residence of the camp and city. He spoke to them and learned their names helping them when they were in need. Eventually getting voted into his praetor position in the second titan war for such leader like qualities.
However, I knew it was only a matter of time before I found the crack in this castle of glass. Jason's fatal flaw wasn't Ambition like his father and predecessors, but second guessing himself. Doubting the most impactful choices in his life one he has learned to hide so well he ironically second guesses his own fatal flaw to disastrous results personally. Tragic but not uncontrollable this I could see myself working with, his partner, however… well, that's for Enma to find out.
"Who are you?" I looked ahead to see the boy standing in front of the river Timber. Unlike his physical self, he was suited up for battle. "State your business here or be forced out." He said menacingly, pointing his spear at me for effect. "Ah, so there is a defense within this Ningen. Here I thought it was open to all who entered. My name Jason is Karma I'm here on Lady Inari's behalf to be your… guide." As I mentioned Lady Inari's name a look of horror crossed Jason's face as the mindscape began to distort to a frightening apocalyptic version of itself. The street cracked to fill with blood and flood into the streets the sky thick with a bloody mist. The boy's armor began to rust and eat away at itself his knees buckling soon after. I rushed over to him.
"Child do not fear what might be you can change this! Let me in and you won't have worry about second guessing, let me help you before your fear consumes you!" the blood drew closer. Jason looked up at me his body de-aging to that of a six-year-old. " I won't shame you without reason. Trust child and be saved tell me your decision." I said. He looked deep into my eyes in which I willingly showed my good intentions. "Help me." He whispered, save him I did. I opened my maw and brought it down upon his exposed upper arm. He to his credit did not look away fierce eyes set on my own grunting and cursing in Latin lips curling giving him a wolf-like appearance that set me on edge. Curse the wolves and their damnable presence on my host.
'Calm yourself child! Look around.' I forced my thoughts through the link I made dropping his bitten limb. This surprised him getting rid of the coming angered fueled rant sure to come. He did as I ask and saw everything as it once was, whole. "You did this? Thank you, I hate feeling so is it? I welcome you here." He said slowly aging back into his current self again minus the armor noting the lack of a threat. I nodded noticing his eyes begin to dim lids drooping from their usual attentive electric blue. I lied down gesturing to my side. "Rest now Grace training begins tomorrow. Remember you soon." He yawned and nodded laying his head in my fur de-aging to a child again. For some reason, I can't describe I felt the need to cover him with my tail despite the lack of cold weather.
~ Enma POV ~
A beach. This is the place where my future host lies in turmoil beneath the churning waves. I had been through his memories seeing his bonds and fatal flaw work for and against him. Shima-kun shouldn't have pushed him so roughly even if it was to win their duel, it ended with disastrous results. The girl had obviously been what held him together mentally and physically. His Achilles' curse was slowly torturing him from the moment she died. Denying him death but forbidding peace of mind for losing his tie to the earth. Stubborn will being all that drove him with the need to protect precious people still living.
"Time to fix this I suppose." I said to myself. I dove into the chaotic waves using my nine tails push me the right direction. Soon I found him in a bubble clenching his eyes shut, blocking his ears from howls of death and screams of terror. When I had first come here he was on the shore decked in Greek armor a wall of water preventing me from venturing further. Demanding answers I gave over politely only for him to turn drastically pale and run at the mention of the one I serve. The terminal landscape complete with earthquakes followed soon after. He was dying, we both knew this and so he had become scared. Not wanting his soul to be doomed to the River Styx milady's prophetic visions hastened his dying breaths.
But I won't let that happen." Perseus let me in." I said. "No," he told me. "you'll just leave me to die like my father did." I stared at him questioning his judgment. "So believe this is your end, what about your friend? You are going to just push everything on him?" "But-" " But you're a sad husk of what you were. 'Without her- without Annabeth I am nothing.' Is that it?" he cringed. I speared his protective bubble with one of my tails and wrapped it around his torso. With a surprised yelp from him I pulled him closer, his head just under my chin.
"Then let me feel your sorrow and pain, show me what she meant to you. Her and all the other good friends who lost their lives so you could see the waves one more time." As I bit into his upper left arm Percy did. I could feel every emotion he felt for the people in his memories. The good calmed the ocean, the bad made it a tsunami of confusion and loss. Percy really was just like the ocean inside and out.
' I won't leave you, but only if you let me in and you will not die of your curse. Become a Myobu and find a new purpose with a leader who will not betray or use you.' He laughs for no apparent reason face buried in my fur. "I was sold on 'I won't leave you' Enma." The ocean never looked so calm in the sunlight.
~ 3rd person ~
The next day saw Shizuka setting the table for breakfast. Shima stumbled in soon after to take a seat laying his elbow on the table his chin is his hand.
He yawned, "Did you wake up the recruits?" Shizuka turned around to give him a questioning look. "No, when I went to their room there was nobody inside. I thought you woke them."
Shima sat upright, "Then where did they go?" the twins turned their heads towards the left when they heard the sounds of fighting in the training field. Glancing at one another both left to investigate. What the pair found was strange to them.
It was Percy and Jason but they weren't fighting each other their swords were. Percy used water to hold his sword and fight with Jason who was using his power over the wind to guide his blade against Riptide's. It was actually going well for both combatants who sat in meditative positions completely focused on what was going on in front of them.
"whoa." Shima said causing them to launch the swords at him only to stop centimeters from actually hurting him. "Oh, shit Shi I just saw my life flash before my eyes." This prompted Jason and Percy to start snickering.
Shizuka adds on," Yeah and I bet it was pretty pathetic wasn't it?" which lead them to full on laughter. "Glad to see you're recovering nicely after last night but breakfast is ready, and if you don't want it cold or in Shima's Stomach I suggest you follow me back now.
So they followed Shizuka back to the dining room and sat down at the free spaces available. Shizuka went to get the food while Shima decided to start a conversation.
"So what were you guys doing anyway?" he asked.
"We were trying to test our level of control over our respective elements. But Percy is still better at it than me." Jason grumbled. Percy smiled, "Hey you're not actually that bad it's just I was trained to fight more as an individual than with a team. I Had to practice fighting on my own."
"Yeah I know." Jason replied. "Karma still thinks I could -no should do better."
Shima quirked an eyebrow, "So that's why the statues looked so empty. They're with you two huh?"
"This also explains your sudden evolution." Shizuka added in placing the food on the table.
Percy looked at her, "Evolution? What evolution we're just the same as we always were. We just have a little more company in our heads.''
Shima shook his head, "Not really when Enma and Karma entered your minds they became attached. This changed both of you greatly you are no longer just demigods you are Myobu."
"Wait are you serious you mean we're no longer human?" Jason asked.
"Not exactly you see you both were born fifty percent human and fifty percent god. When you became Myobu the human percent went down to twenty. So your still somewhat human just not a lot." Shizuka explained.
The two sighed, "Well I guess that makes it a little better." They said.
'Yeah well sorry, not sorry kit. Now eat your food so we can continue training.' Enma told them. 'Yes, Enma.' They replied back mentally as they ate.
~ Meanwhile on Olympus ~
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY'RE NO LONGER IN THE COUNTRY?!" Zeus roared from his throne. The Olympians were arguing amongst themselves again in the throne room, but over one or rather two specific things. "It's just as I said father Perseus Jackson and Jason Grace are no longer in the United States." Athena told the king of the gods once again.
"Well, where did they go? If they are not here your plan will be ruined and Olympus destroyed." Artemis said.
"I knew we should have gone with my plan it was practically foolproof next to yours Athena." Hera chided.
"I agree full heartedly this is a disaster and it's all Athena's fault." Poseidon nodded.
Athena growled, "Your just bitter barnacle beard."
"Of course, I'm bitter MY SON IS MISSING AND GAEA IS RISING!"
"Oh, my is this a bad time to add you brought his upon yourselves."
Zeus summoned his master bolt, "who's there show yourself or be killed. "Silence made itself known in the room. Inari appeared before them, "I dare you to try Olympian."
"Inari you and the Shinto are behind this are you not." Athena accused. "I simply picked up what you discarded. Don't act like you are any better Athena. That plan of yours was just your way of getting back at Perseus for your daughter's death."
"I KNEW IT! YOU WENCH ONLY YOU WOULD THINK OF A PLAN LIKE THIS FOR PETTY VENGEANCE!" Poseidon bellowed. "Yes and that's not all. What she neglected to find out was that he was already dying anyways from the guilt. He loved her so much that when he bathed in the river Styx he made her his tie to the Earth." Inari continued glaring at Athena.
A gasp went through the room, "You mean this whole time the Styx had claimed to his soul, but why didn't it kill him?" Hermes asked. "Because that would be the mercy he wished for. Denying him death but forbidding peace of mind. A true hero's tragedy." Athena looked pale. "Oh, what is this? Is the great wisdom goddess regretting her actions? For punishing someone who was practically on their death bed. Well, no matter the young prince is fine," Athena's jerked up at this, "I made sure to fix your mistake."
Poseidon looked hopeful, "Then you'll bring him back?" Inari cocked back her head and laughed. "Why, so you could use them like sacrificial lambs instead?" Murmurs went around as Athena and Zeus tried to make themselves smaller. "What are you talking about?" Hestia piped up from her spot in the hearth.
Inari's fox-like smile got wider, "Naughty, naughty king you thought you could get away with this? Listen up boys and girl it's story time. Long story short however Athena and Zeus blamed both camps monster attacks on The princes so they could unite the Romans and Greeks on one common reasoning to reach one common goal."
"Like what?" Apollo asked in anticipation. Even Dionysus was up and at the edge of his seat. "Are you sure you want to know? You'll never look at your king or the wisdom goddess the same. "She said. Artemis sighed in exasperation, "Tell us already."
"Artemis no!" Zeus shouted but it was too late. " The camps would unite to kill the traitors and stop Gaea's awakening. Sacrificed for a war crime they didn't commit in order to save Olympus. You had them banished so you could have them hunted and murdered like wild animals. The Demigods as your hunting dogs while you watched from afar ever so safe on your picture perfect throne. Blameless."
"Oh, my Chaos." Aphrodite said covering her mouth, "Your own son how could you?" She asked with a tremble in her voice as she looked at Zeus. "What have they ever done to you?" Hephaestus looked appalled. "Even I'm not that cruel man, and I'm the god of war." Aries added. Demeter shook her head, "I think I need to apologize to Hades. You two are way worse than him." Hestia was crying with Artemis comforting her. "I actually believed Perseus would do that too. I'm such a fool." The moon goddess admitted feeling a little sick. And she hunted men down for sport albeit they were Jackalopes and they deserved it.
Everyone looked at Poseidon to see how he took this disturbing revelation, "I can't believe it… and to think," He looked Zeus dead in the eye with disbelief, "I called you brother. And you," he turned to Athena who would not meet his eyes. "Your Grandfather would be proud of the sick monster you are." He finished as her eyes widened in horror at the mention of her and Annabeth's murderer being one and the same. Poseidon looked to Inari who stood to observe patiently.
"Please Inari, let me see my son let me see both of them and express my regret." She tilted her head slightly before extending her arm. The sea god shrunk down and took her outstretched hand. "Let's go see how they are doing. Do not interfere." She said when Zeus opened his mouth to speak. Taking out a scroll Inari unfurled it before wrapping it around them and vanish in front of shocked Olympians.
KN: Sorry for the wait I was planning ahead of time for what to do when I graduate highschool and lost track of time. I hope this satisfies and please remember to vote on my poll and review to show the characters you love them.
Ningen- human/mortal